California drought—
 
all umbrellas at Goodwill
 
ninety percent off

 
 
 

California drought—
 
on an autumn afternoon
 
we sing songs for rain.

 
 
 

California drought—
 
we search the sky for rainbows,
 
but see only smoke.

 
 
 

California drought—
 
we pray for a good dousing;
 
the gods are dozing.

 
 
 

California drought—
 
I dream of clear, cold water
 
seeping from a spring.

 
 
 

First days of summer—
 
California hillsides blaze
 
with unholy fire.

 
 
 

Four days past Christmas
 
some California mountains
 
wear new coats of snow.

 
 
 

First day of winter—
 
in Southern California
 
yellow roses bloom.

 
 
 

California burns—
 
sequoias cry in anguish,
 
grasses turn to ash.

 
 
 

After Labor Day
 
smoke-filled California skies
 
choke people and crows.